Harlequins
Tom Williams' Statement
By Prof
August 18 2009
This is the statement that Tom Williams gave when he left the hearing tonight:
"I deeply regret the role I have played in this unacceptable incident that has done so much damage to the image of rugby union. I have let down my teammates, the club fans, and I'll have to live with those actions for the rest of my career.
"In deciding to come clean and do the right thing I have tried honestly to rectify this mess and and repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family.
"I would like to thank the ERC Disciplinary Appeal Panel for their decision to reduce my sanction, and I am relieved they did this. However, I also realise the grave error of judgement that I have made.
"I would like to thank my legal team at Lewis Silkin, Blackstone Chambers, and the team at the Professional Rugby Players Association who have all done a fantastic job in supporting me throughout this very stressful few months.
"I hope that, as a result of this episode, no player or employee will ever be put in such a compromised position and, if they are, that they will always tell the truth as I wish I had done from the outset.
"It is now my desire to draw a line under this matter and return to train alongside my teammates and friends at Harlequins and make a meaningful contribution to restoring the tarnished image of the club".
Tom's ban was reduced to 4 months starting from 20th July 2009.
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Discussion started by ComeAllWithin.co.uk , 18/08/2009 00:18
ComeAllWithin.co.uk
18/08/2009 00:18
18/08/2009 00:18
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Really felt for him. A fine young man at heart. He'll be back with a clean sheet and a bigger man for it!
SSN and an interview with Richards in which i think he refused to answer on his previous!
I don't envy Tom - 3 more monnths in the gym, but he's young and will get over it
I am sure he'll be back on top form when he gets back. I look forward to his return to the team.
He's a good lad who was put in a horrible position and left to swing in the initial hearing.
Tom's very popular with the fans and I reckon he'll get a huge amount of support when he plays his first game back from this. Personally I can't wait to see him on the field again.
He was the hugely deserved Quinssa 'Favourite Back' winner last season - not bad when you think of the players he was up against.
The way the press have pilloried him has been shocking, even bordering on libellous at times - here's hoping that they find another witch hunt or perhaps that they realise that reporting is better done with a pen and paper rather than pitchforks and burning torches!
The way the press have pilloried him has been shocking, even bordering on libellous at times - here's hoping that they find another witch hunt or perhaps that they realise that reporting is better done with a pen and paper rather than pitchforks and burning torches!
Quote:kevin
Really felt for him. A fine young man at heart. He'll be back with a clean sheet and a bigger man for it!
Undoubtedly, he did the right thing, but he will never again have a clean sheet.
Give over Colin, he was "only following orders". Deano is tarnished in my book but Tom was put in an impossible position when asked to perform the charade. They really should have picked somebody who can act better though but I am glad he can't as I am hoping this will now lead to a serious look at other forms of cheating in our game.
The only thing Tom did wrong was not tell the truth, the rest was all down to DR, how could he say no at the time.
Colin M
It's all over now I'm sure there is some other clubs fan site where your comments would be more wellcome ...maybe your own!!!
As a quins fan I have held back from posting until this was all over
I am sure we are not the only club to have done something like this,not to say I condone it but we just happened to be the club caught in the act!!
All we can do is put this behind us and move on!It's either that or support another club,something I would never do!
Can't wait for the start of the new season now !!
COME ON QUINS!!!!!!
It's all over now I'm sure there is some other clubs fan site where your comments would be more wellcome ...maybe your own!!!
As a quins fan I have held back from posting until this was all over
I am sure we are not the only club to have done something like this,not to say I condone it but we just happened to be the club caught in the act!!
All we can do is put this behind us and move on!It's either that or support another club,something I would never do!
Can't wait for the start of the new season now !!
COME ON QUINS!!!!!!
Does it strike you that in the words chosen there is a curious absence of positive reference to the club.
"I have let down my teammates [and] the club fans..."
"repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family"
"I would like to thank my legal team ... and the team at the [PRA] who have all done a fantastic job in supporting me throughout this very stressful few months"
"I hope that, as a result of this episode, no player or employee will ever be put in such a compromised position"
"return to train alongside my teammates and friends at Harlequins"
All we have is the very last bit, about making "a meaningful contribution to restoring the tarnished image of the club"
"I have let down my teammates [and] the club fans..."
"repay the good faith shown in me by my friends and family"
"I would like to thank my legal team ... and the team at the [PRA] who have all done a fantastic job in supporting me throughout this very stressful few months"
"I hope that, as a result of this episode, no player or employee will ever be put in such a compromised position"
"return to train alongside my teammates and friends at Harlequins"
All we have is the very last bit, about making "a meaningful contribution to restoring the tarnished image of the club"
As we have thought all along it appears that maybe he was asked to take one for the team. So possibly while others sat mute he was the only one where physical evidence was available. All the others had to come clean if they were to be charged, and it seems they didn't, so Tom got clobbered........his appeal seems to have shamed them into a response and most of the truth has come out.
The club in general have not come out of this and Deano is stating he didn't know about the cut....so there appears to be a bit of squirming & swerving still occuring.
The club in general have not come out of this and Deano is stating he didn't know about the cut....so there appears to be a bit of squirming & swerving still occuring.
PerryGo - how much love would you show your employer if you'd just been through a process like this?
The Times has also learnt that, until the eleventh hour, Williams faced intense pressure from officials at the club not to proceed with his appeal.
The penultimate paragraph in an article in today's Times.
And just how long do you think Tom Williams will be playing in Quins first XV?
The penultimate paragraph in an article in today's Times.
And just how long do you think Tom Williams will be playing in Quins first XV?
Quote:liggor
Colin M
It's all over now I'm sure there is some other clubs fan site where your comments would be more wellcome ...maybe your own!!!
As a quins fan I have held back from posting until this was all over
I am sure we are not the only club to have done something like this,not to say I condone it but we just happened to be the club caught in the act!!
All we can do is put this behind us and move on!It's either that or support another club,something I would never do!
Can't wait for the start of the new season now !!
COME ON QUINS!!!!!!
Colin M is entitled to his opinion just like you, even if some people on here don't like hearing it.
The bottom line is that Richards and Williams are cheats, and will always be known as cheats.
ANDRE VOS/DAVID WILSON/NICK EVANS ARE HARLEQUIN LEGENDS
TBE,
Colin M has spent months trolling us on these boards - everyone's well aware of his opinion coz we heard him the first thousand times.
Tom is a cheat, yes. But so're Andre Vos and David Wilson - it was their job.
Colin M has spent months trolling us on these boards - everyone's well aware of his opinion coz we heard him the first thousand times.
Tom is a cheat, yes. But so're Andre Vos and David Wilson - it was their job.
Quote:colin_mQuote:kevin
Really felt for him. A fine young man at heart. He'll be back with a clean sheet and a bigger man for it!
Undoubtedly, he did the right thing, but he will never again have a clean sheet.
In the eyes of those of us who matter he will have a clean sheet.But probably not in the eyes or infantile minds of those who just want to make persistent, snide comments in a bid to make themselves look good to their mates.
And are you sure there is no junk to clear up in your own backyard?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:18:09:37:43 by kevin.
Certain similarity to Lewis Hamilton's position in the Australian GP when a trusted member of the management team made a wrong call and asked the junior employee to assist in the cover up. Both Hamilton and Williams agreed in this and are thereby guilty aswell - but it does take a degree of moral courage to stand against the initial approaches.
They did the right thing eventually by telling the truth.
They did the right thing eventually by telling the truth.
The Big Easy
You are right Colin M is entitled to his opinion but what I took exception to was the Signature with every post of
Harlequins - The diry Club followed by the Oh so Clever
Harlequins - The Tarnished Club
These have one purpose- Trolling!!
The whole point of this site is for people to have there say and I wellcome valid argument just not personal dis-respect or Abuse!!
You are right Colin M is entitled to his opinion but what I took exception to was the Signature with every post of
Harlequins - The diry Club followed by the Oh so Clever
Harlequins - The Tarnished Club
These have one purpose- Trolling!!
The whole point of this site is for people to have there say and I wellcome valid argument just not personal dis-respect or Abuse!!
It's never easy to take a stand against the wishes of those who are the source of your bread and butter. Tom Williams may have been foolish but that's all that he was IMVHO. Of course that doesn't mean he shouldn't receive some kind of censure, I'm glad his ban's been reduced though.
I hope the team side of the club welcome him back into the playing squad but you have to wonder if he will want to stay........future contract talks maybe a bit uncomfortable.
Also who was pressing him to retract at the 11th hour? I'm sure you can guess!
Also who was pressing him to retract at the 11th hour? I'm sure you can guess!
Sadly I do not think we are at the end of this - it appears 4 other cases of faked injury were alleged, presumably some in other tournaments and presumably it was Tom who made the allegations. I am not sure Tom will remain so popular.
I still think the News International coverage overall is extremely vindictive right across the board and very self righteous. If we have been doing this so has others and this attitude from rugby correspondents is not called for think of the number of matches for the pests that have gone to uncontested scrums and other clubs as well.
Quote:cwaq
Sadly I do not think we are at the end of this - it appears 4 other cases of faked injury were alleged, presumably some in other tournaments and presumably it was Tom who made the allegations. I am not sure Tom will remain so popular.
Not a clever thing to presume! Not at all!
"Tom's very popular with the fans and I reckon he'll get a huge amount of support when he plays his first game back from this"
if would, I think, be far more apposite. Dropping your employer 300K in the red and getting it slung out of the HC (probably) is unlikely to lead to positive feelings on either side.
if would, I think, be far more apposite. Dropping your employer 300K in the red and getting it slung out of the HC (probably) is unlikely to lead to positive feelings on either side.
In case you hadn't noticed we haven't been slung out of the HEC, so what are you wittering on about?
The club gambled with Tom's career and made a mistake. It may have been in their benefit to persuade him to stay quiet but it won't be in their benefit to ostracise him as a result. The rest of the squad won't stand for it either.
It ends here.
The club gambled with Tom's career and made a mistake. It may have been in their benefit to persuade him to stay quiet but it won't be in their benefit to ostracise him as a result. The rest of the squad won't stand for it either.
It ends here.
If Tom told the truth why should Harlequins fans have any ill feelings towards him? I am looking forward to seeing him back on the pitch and I will cheer his first try of the 2009/2010 season as loudly as I have cheered his previous tries.
Quote:Monte
I still think the News International coverage overall is extremely vindictive right across the board and very self righteous. If we have been doing this so has others and this attitude from rugby correspondents is not called for think of the number of matches for the pests that have gone to uncontested scrums and other clubs as well.
This is getting like a carry On film with Kenneth Williams, "Infamy, infamy they've all got it in for me!"
Do you think that the Dan Brown books are true as well?
Fantasist. Accept that your club did wrong, was caught and has paid a price. Seemingly this has happened in other competitions as well.... moral high ground has just gone underwater.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:08:18:11:08:46 by fats.
I think that Tom's postition at Quins will be safe, however the when and if a new DoR comes in it would be up to them in future contract dealings.
Mark Evans and Collin Osbourne are big fans of his and although he has come clean, perhaps costing DR his job and an increased fine, the truth is out now and gives Tom the chance to play this season.
Although hugely damaging for the club, this episode does allow the club to clean up its act, continue to develop English talent and actually complete the transistion of the club.
Finances will be tight as always, and the review will look to cut dead wood and focus the mind in all aspects of the club, as it did in 2005.
Tom's response to the club in is statement is spot on, he like all pros plays for himself, his mates and his family, not the club or DoR. That is healthy and although entirely different in the concequences, ask a solider "Queen, country and those officers above or your muckers and the JNCOs in your section." The answer is the later, although they still repect Her Majesty and her officers, that is ultimately who they sign their contracts to, the mateship of training, living with one another is what makes the bonds and friendships which will help Tom back in to the fold.
This has been a terrible episode for Tom, the club and all involved, but I suspect we are now at the begining of the end.
Mark Evans and Collin Osbourne are big fans of his and although he has come clean, perhaps costing DR his job and an increased fine, the truth is out now and gives Tom the chance to play this season.
Although hugely damaging for the club, this episode does allow the club to clean up its act, continue to develop English talent and actually complete the transistion of the club.
Finances will be tight as always, and the review will look to cut dead wood and focus the mind in all aspects of the club, as it did in 2005.
Tom's response to the club in is statement is spot on, he like all pros plays for himself, his mates and his family, not the club or DoR. That is healthy and although entirely different in the concequences, ask a solider "Queen, country and those officers above or your muckers and the JNCOs in your section." The answer is the later, although they still repect Her Majesty and her officers, that is ultimately who they sign their contracts to, the mateship of training, living with one another is what makes the bonds and friendships which will help Tom back in to the fold.
This has been a terrible episode for Tom, the club and all involved, but I suspect we are now at the begining of the end.
Just visiting from another place ...
Listening to Will Carling on the radio this morning - he suggested if they'd called TW off with a hamstring injury no-one would have been any the wiser.
It'll certainly teach others not to be so theatrical in their tricks in future.
Good luck to TW - seems he was put in an impossible situation, and life at the Club will probably be a little uncomfortable for him for a while yet.
Curious about the team doctor, though - surely only someone medical could have made the cut ...
K
Listening to Will Carling on the radio this morning - he suggested if they'd called TW off with a hamstring injury no-one would have been any the wiser.
It'll certainly teach others not to be so theatrical in their tricks in future.
Good luck to TW - seems he was put in an impossible situation, and life at the Club will probably be a little uncomfortable for him for a while yet.
Curious about the team doctor, though - surely only someone medical could have made the cut ...
K
Quote:Listening to Will Carling on the radio this morning - he suggested if they'd called TW off with a hamstring injury no-one would have been any the wiser.
A bit of a daft suggestion. Nick Evans could only have come on as a blood replacement.
BB
Back to Tom:
I suppose he could always be loaned out to Quins RL - keep his match fitness up and learn some new things!
I suppose he could always be loaned out to Quins RL - keep his match fitness up and learn some new things!
Quote:I suppose he could always be loaned out to Quins RL - keep his match fitness up and learn some new things!
I think there's an agreement that that can't happen either.
BB
No, none. Sorry. Heard it on here at the beginning of the saga. Not even sure if it is a RU/RL thing or just Quins RU/RL.
BB
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